Thermal control system

ABSTRACT

A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit allows multiple patient therapy devices to be fluidly coupled thereto and to individually monitor the temperatures, flow rates, and/or connections/disconnections of the patient therapy devices. A user interface enables a user to designate outlet ports to the therapy devices as active or inactive, and the control unit provides notifications to the user if any of the active ports experience an undesired condition, or if a patient therapy device is connected to an inactive port. The user interface further allows the user to designate one of multiple patient temperature probes as a primary probe. The primary probe is used to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the control unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/825,225 filed May 20, 2013 by applicants Christopher Hopperet al. and entitled THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM, the complete disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a thermal control unit and system forcontrolling the temperature of circulating fluid which is delivered toone or more thermal pads positioned in contact with a patient.

Thermal control systems are known in the art for controlling thetemperature of a patient by supplying temperature-controlled fluid toone or more pads, blankets, or similar structures, that are positionedin contact with, or adjacent to, a patient. The temperature of the fluidis controlled by a thermal unit that provides fluid to the pads orblankets. After passing through the pads or blankets, the fluid isreturned to the control unit where any necessary adjustments to thereturning fluid temperature are made before being pumped back to the pador blanket. In some instances, the temperature of the fluid iscontrolled to a target temperature, while in other instances thetemperature of the fluid is controlled in order to effectuate a changeor steady-state patient temperature. When controlling a patient'stemperature, a patient temperature probe may be attached to the controlunit in order to provide patient temperature readings as feedback to thecontrol unit so that it can make the necessary temperature adjustments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides various improved aspects to a thermalcontrol system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes athermal control unit that takes less time to bring the regulated fluidto the desired temperature. In other embodiments, a thermal control unitis provided that is tank-less such that substantially all of the fluidwhose temperature is being controlled is in circulation. In still otherembodiments, a thermal control unit is provided with a removablereservoir that improves the convenience of using the unit, and/or alarge touch screen control panel with a smaller LCD screen that providesan intuitive graphical user interface for controlling the system. In yetother embodiments, still other features and/or advantages are provided.

According to one embodiment, a thermal control unit is provided that isadapted to deliver temperature controlled fluid to a patient. Thethermal control unit includes a plurality of outlets adapted to fluidlyconnect to a plurality of patient therapy devices, such as, but notlimited to, one or more thermal pads, blankets, vests, boots, socks,caps, or the like. The outlets are adapted to deliver the temperaturecontrolled fluid to the patient therapy devices when the patient therapydevices are connected thereto. The thermal control unit includes asensing subsystem to monitor the connection status of the outlets and/orthe utilization of the fluid circuit(s) defined between the control unitand the patient therapy device(s). The thermal control unit furtherincludes an indicator adapted to provide an indication to a user if apatient therapy device is added to, or removed from, any one or more ofthe outlets while the control unit is delivering the temperaturecontrolled fluid to the patient.

According to another embodiment, a thermal control unit is provided thatincludes first and second fluid outlet, first and second fluid inlets, aheat exchanger, a pump, a sensing subsystem, and a controller. The firstand second fluid outlets are adapted to be fluidly coupled to first andsecond fluid supply lines, respectively. The first and second fluidinlets are adapted to be fluidly coupled to first and second fluidreturn lines, respectively. The pump circulates fluid from the first andsecond fluid inlets through the heat exchanger and to the first andsecond fluid outlets. The sensing subsystem is adapted to detect if thefirst fluid outlet becomes connected to, disconnected from, orre-connected to the first fluid supply line, or if the flow status atthe first fluid supply line changes. The sensing subsystem is alsoadapted to detect if the second fluid outlet becomes connected to,disconnected from, or re-connected to the second fluid supply line, orif the flow status at the second fluid supply line changes. Thecontroller is in communication with the pump, the heat exchanger, andthe sensing subsystem, and the controller is adapted to provide anindication to a user if the first fluid outlet becomes disconnected fromthe first fluid supply line, or the second fluid outlet becomedisconnected from the second fluid supply line.

In another embodiment, the sensing subsystem is adapted to differentiatebetween various types of supply lines and/or individual supply lines.

In another embodiment, a thermal control unit is provided that includesa heat exchanger, a pump, first and second flow meters, and acontroller. The pump circulates fluid from first and second inletsthrough the heat exchanger to first and second outlets. The first andsecond outlets are adapted to supply temperature-controlled fluid to apatient therapy device, and the first and second inlets are adapted toreceive the fluid back after passing through the patient therapy device.The first flow meter is adapted to measure a first flow rate of thefluid through either the first outlet or the first inlet. The secondflow meter is adapted to measure a second flow rate of the fluid througheither the second outlet or the second inlet. The controller is inelectrical communication with the first and second flow meters and isadapted to generate a first alert if the first flow rate measured by thefirst flow meter is less than a first threshold, and to generate asecond alert if the second flow rate measured by the second flow meteris less than a second threshold.

According to other aspects, the first and second thresholds may be thesame. The control unit may include a user interface in electricalcommunication with the controller wherein the user interface includes afirst indicator for indicating the first alert and a second indicatorfor indicating the second alert.

The thermal control unit may also include a third inlet and a thirdoutlet in the manifold, and a third flow meter adapted to measure athird flow rate of the fluid through either the third outlet or thethird inlet. When the third flow meter is included, the controller isadapted to generate a third alert if the third flow rate measured by thethird flow meter is less than a third threshold.

The thermal control unit may include a graphical user interface inelectrical communication with the controller, wherein the user interfaceincludes a first graphic that is illuminated a first color when thefirst flow rate exceeds the first threshold and a second color when thefirst flow rate is less than the first threshold. The user interface mayfurther include a second graphic that is illuminated the first colorwhen the second flow rate exceeds the second threshold, and the secondcolor when the second flow rate is less than the second threshold. Inaddition, the first graphic may be unilluminated when the first flowrate is zero, and the second graphic may be unilluminated when thesecond flow rate is zero. The first color may be green and the secondcolor may be yellow.

A first temperature sensor may be included that is positioned to measurea first temperature of fluid returning to the first fluid inlet; and asecond temperature sensor may be included that is positioned to measurea second temperature of fluid returning to the second fluid inlet. Thecontroller is adapted to display the first and second temperatures on auser interface.

The controller may be adapted to operate in a plurality of modes thatare selectable by a user, wherein in a first one of the plurality ofmodes the controller seeks to maintain a constant temperature in fluiddelivered to the first and second outlets; and wherein in a second oneof the plurality of modes the controller seeks to control a temperatureof a patient.

The thermal control unit may also include a first patient temperatureprobe port and a second patient temperature probe port, wherein each ofthe first and second patient temperature probe ports are adapted toreceive a patient temperature probe that measures a temperature of apatient. The controller may be adapted to control a temperature of fluiddelivered to the first and second outlets based on temperatureinformation received through either the first patient temperature probeport or the second patient temperature probe port. Further, the userinterface may be adapted to allow a user to choose the first patienttemperature probe port or the second patient temperature probe port, orboth the first and second patient temperature probe ports, for use bythe controller in controlling the temperature of fluid delivered to thefirst and second outlets.

The thermal control unit may include a removable reservoir adapted to belifted out of the control unit. A reservoir sensor can be included withthe thermal control unit that detects the absence or presence of theremovable reservoir, wherein the reservoir sensor electricallycommunicates with the controller. The controller issues an alert if thereservoir sensor detects the absence of the removable reservoir. A valvemay be integrated into a bottom wall of the removable reservoir whereinthe valve is adapted to automatically open when the removable reservoiris inserted into the control unit. When the removable reservoir isattached to the thermal control unit, any fluid that remains within theremovable reservoir is substantially thermally isolated from fluidflowing through the heat exchanger of the thermal control unit, therebyavoiding adding to the specific heat load of the thermal control unit,which speeds up the ability of the thermal control unit to change thetemperature of the circulating fluid.

The thermal control unit may also include a drain for draining fluidfrom the thermal control unit wherein the drain is positioned on thecontrol unit such that the removable reservoir automatically shuts thedrain when the removable reservoir is coupled to the thermal controlunit, thereby preventing the accidental drainage of the reservoir fluidinto the thermal control unit and out of the drain of the thermalcontrol unit.

According to another embodiment, a thermal control unit is provided thatincludes a heat exchanger, a pump, a first flow meter, a second flowmeter, a user interface, and a controller. The pump circulates fluidfrom first and second inlets through the heat exchanger to first andsecond outlets. The first and second outlets are adapted to supplytemperature-controlled fluid to a patient therapy device, and the firstand second inlets are adapted to receive the fluid back after passingthrough the patient therapy device. The first flow meter is adapted tomeasure a first flow rate of the fluid through either the first outletor the first inlet, and the second flow meter is adapted to measure asecond flow rate through either the second outlet or the second inlet.The controller is in electrical communication with the first and secondflow meters and the user interface, and the controller is adapted tocause the user interface to prompt a caregiver for confirmation if thefirst flow meter or second flow meter detects a decrease in fluid flowto a rate below a threshold.

In some embodiments, the threshold may be on the order of a half of aliter per minute. The prompting of the caregiver for confirmation mayquery the user whether or not the user intended to decrease the fluidflow to a rate below the threshold. The user interface may be configuredsuch that it continues to prompt the caregiver for confirmation untilthe user responds to the confirmation prompt.

According to yet another embodiment, a thermal control unit is providedthat includes a heat exchanger, a pump, first and second patienttemperature probe ports, a user interface, and a controller. The pumpcirculates fluid through the heat exchanger and between an outlet and aninlet on the control unit that are adapted, respectively, to supplytemperature-controlled fluid to a patient therapy device and to receivethe fluid back after passing through the patient therapy device. Theuser interface is adapted to allow a user to designate which of thefirst and second patient temperature probe ports is a primary port. Thecontroller is in electrical communication with the first and secondpatient temperature probe ports, and the controller is adapted tocontrol a temperature of the fluid in the thermal control unit based ontemperature readings supplied through the one of the first and secondpatient temperature probe ports that has been designated by the user asthe primary port.

In an alternative embodiment, the user interface is further adapted toallow a user to designate both the first and second patient temperatureprobe ports as primary ports, thereby causing the control unit to usethe readings from both of the temperature probe ports in controlling thetemperature of the circulating fluid.

In some embodiments, the controller—when controlling the temperature ofthe fluid in the thermal control unit—does not use temperature readingsfrom the one of the first and second patient temperature probe portsthat has not been designated by the user as the primary port.

According to still another embodiment, a thermal control unit isprovided that includes a heat exchanger, a pump, a manifold, an airpressure sensor, a channel, and a controller. The pump circulates liquidthrough the heat exchanger, and the manifold is in liquid communicationwith the pump. The channel has first and second ends and the first endis in liquid communication with the manifold while the second end is ingaseous communication with the air pressure sensor. The controller is inelectrical communication with the air pressure sensor and uses signalsfrom the air pressure sensor to determine a level of liquid in thethermal control unit.

In some embodiments, the channel may be a tube. Whether the channel is atube or not, it may also include a valve at its second end that isadapted to automatically and hermetically seal the second end when thesecond end is disconnected from the air pressure sensor.

In still other embodiments, the controller is adapted to oversee thetemperature control and delivery of fluid to multiple supply lines thathave different target fluid temperatures and/or different target flowrates. The target temperatures and flow rates may be user-designated orthey may be automatically generated by the controller based upon patienttemperature readings and one or more user-designated target patienttemperatures.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the details ofoperation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodimentsand is capable of being practiced or being carried out in alternativeways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may beused in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwiseexpressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed aslimiting the invention to any specific order or number of components.Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from thescope of the invention any additional steps or components that might becombined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a thermal control system according to oneaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a thermal control unitthat may be used in the thermal control system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the thermal control unit of FIG. 2 shownwith a fluid reservoir removed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the thermal control unit of FIG. 2 shownwith a bumper and front cover panel detached;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an illustrative fluid circulation arrangementthat may be used in any of the thermal control units disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially disassembled, view of the thermalcontrol unit of FIG. 2 illustrating a temperature control assembly andcontrol panel mounted to a frame of the thermal control unit;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the temperature control assembly of FIG.6 removed from the thermal control unit frame;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view of the temperature control assemblyof FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded view of a control panel of the thermalcontrol unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fluid assembly of the thermal controlunit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of a base section of the fluidassembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a control box of the thermal controlunit of FIG. 2

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded perspective view of the control box ofFIG. 12 shown from an opposite side;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the inlet and outlet manifolds withinthe control box of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the control panel of thethermal control unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the touch screen surface of the control panelshowing an LCD area and a fixed icon area;

FIG. 17 is a first illustrative screen shot of the control panelillustrating the connection of three fluid lines to the thermal controlunit;

FIG. 18 is a second illustrative screen shot of the control panelillustrating one manner for a user to select a primary patienttemperature probe;

FIG. 19 is a third illustrative screen shot of the control panelillustrating one manner for allowing a user to designate active andinactive flow ports;

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a refrigeration unit within the thermal controlunit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the thermalcontrol system;

FIG. 22 is a sectional rear elevational view of the fluid reservoir andthermal control unit shown coupled together; and

FIG. 23 is a diagram of an alternative fluid level sensor that may beused with any of the thermal control units disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A thermal control system 20 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in block diagram form in FIG. 1. Thermal controlsystem 20 includes a thermal control unit 22 having a plurality of fluidoutlet ports 24, a plurality of fluid inlet ports 26, and a plurality ofpatient temperature probe ports 28. The outlet ports 24 define fluidoutlets from control unit 22, and each outlet port 24 is adapted to befluidly coupled to a corresponding fluid supply line or hose 30 a thattransports a thermal fluid from the thermal control unit 22 to aconnected patient thermal therapy device 32, which may be a pad, ablanket, a vest, or other structure. For purposes of the followingwritten description, patient thermal therapy device 32 will be referredto as a thermal pad 32, but it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that thermal pad 32 is not limited to pads, but includes anyother patient thermal therapy devices. The inlet ports 26 define fluidinlets into control unit 22 and are each adapted to be fluidly coupledto a corresponding fluid return line or hose 30 b that returns thethermal fluid from the thermal pad 32 back to the control unit 22. Thefluid inside of control unit 22 is therefore pumped by control unit 22in a circuit that starts at control unit 22, continues through supplylines 30 a to the thermal pads 32, and returns back to the control unit22 by way of return lines 30 b.

More specifically, control unit 22 of FIG. 1 circulates the fluidthrough three fluid circuits 31 a, 31 b, and 31 c. Each fluid circuit 31a, 31 b, and 31 c is defined by control unit 22, one of the connectedthermal pads 32, and the corresponding pair of supply and return lines30 a and 30 b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fluid that returnsto control unit 22 from each return line 30 b is mixed in a commonmanifold (described below), and the temperature of that mixed fluid iscontrolled to a single desired temperature (which may vary, as will bedescribed more below) by passing it through a heat exchanger 58(described below). The temperature-controlled fluid is then pumped toeach of outlet ports 24, for delivery to each supply line 30 a, so thatthe temperature of the fluid delivered to each outlet port 24 is thesame. In this embodiment, each fluid circuit 31 a, 31 b, and 31 c issupplied with fluid at outlet ports 24 that is at the same temperature.In an alternative embodiment, control unit 22 is configured to be ableto maintain temperature isolation between one or more of the fluidcircuits 31 a, 31 b, and/or 31 c so that fluid of differing temperaturesmay be delivered from control unit 22 to the outlet ports 24, andthereafter to the thermal pads 32.

In the thermal control unit 22 shown in FIG. 1, there are three inletports 26 and three outlet ports 24. By coupling a supply line 30 a toeach of these three outlet ports 24 and a return line 30 b to each ofthese three return ports 26, temperature controlled fluid can bedelivered from control unit 22 to three different thermal pads 32. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that the number of ports24 and 26 can be varied to include either a smaller or a greater numberthan the three illustrated in FIG. 1. Still further, it will understoodby those skilled in the art that the ports 24, 26 may be provided invarious physical configuration and combinations to facilitate theconnection and disconnection of the lines 30 a, 30 b and/or thermal pads32. As but one example, instead of using a separate pair of ports 24 and26 for each individual circuit 31 a, 31 b, and 31 c, as shown in FIG. 1,it is possible to modify control unit 22 to include a single multi-tubeoutlet port 24 and a single multi-tube inlet port 26 that simultaneouslycouples and de-couples multiple sets of supply lines 30 a and returnlines 30 b to and from control unit 22. Still other variations arepossible.

Thermal pads 32 may be any pad, blanket, or other structure adapted tobe positioned in either direct contact or close contact with a patient(not shown). By controlling the temperature of the fluid flowing throughhoses 30 to thermal pads 32, the temperature of a patient can becontrolled via the close contact of the pads 32 with the patient and theresultant heat transfer therebetween. In one conventional configuration,a first thermal pad 32 is wrapped around a patient's torso, while secondand third thermal pads 32 are wrapped, respectively, around thepatient's right and left legs. Other configurations can be used and, asnoted, different numbers of thermal pads 32 may be used with thermalcontrol unit 22, depending upon the number of inlet and outlet ports 26and 24 that are included with thermal control unit 22. Still further, insome embodiments of thermal control system 20, one or more branchingconnectors (not shown) may be coupled to a single pair of inlet andoutlet ports 26 and 24, if desired, so that multiple lines 30 andmultiple thermal pads 32 may be supplied via a single inlet/outlet pair.Such branching, however, reduces the ability of thermal control system20 to individually monitor the flow and temperature of each thermal pad32, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Thermal control system 20 further includes, in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of patient temperature probes 34 thatare attached to a plurality of different locations of thermal intereston a patient. Such patient temperature probes 34 may be any suitablepatient temperature probe that is able to sense the temperature of thepatient at the location of the probe. In one embodiment, the patienttemperature probes may be conventional Y.S.I. 400 probes marketed by YSIIncorporated of Yellow Springs, Ohio, or probes that are YSI 400compliant. In other embodiments, different types of probes 34 may beused with thermal control unit 22. Regardless of the specific type ofpatient temperature probe 34 used in system 20, each temperature probe34 is connected to a patient temperature probe port 28 positioned oncontrol unit 22. Patient temperature probe ports 28 are in electricalcommunication with a controller 72 (FIG. 5) that is adapted, in at leastsome situations, to use the temperature sensed by at least one of theprobes 34 in controlling the temperature of the fluid circulated throughcontrol unit 22 and pads 32.

Thermal control unit 22 is adapted, in the illustrated embodiment, tooperate in a plurality of different modes that are selectable by a user.In a first mode, known as a manual mode, the thermal control unit 22controls the temperature of the liquid circulating through control unit22—and thereby the temperature of the fluid delivered to thermal pads32—so that it matches a target temperature chosen by the user. In thismode, the control unit 22 maintains the liquid at the chosen targettemperature regardless of the patient's temperature. Indeed, in themanual mode, control unit 22 may be used without any patient temperatureprobes 34. In a second mode, known as an automatic mode, the thermalcontrol unit 22 controls the temperature of the liquid circulatingthrough control unit 22 in such a manner that a target patienttemperature is achieved and/or maintained. In this automatic mode, atleast one patient temperature probe 34 must be coupled to control unit22 so that control unit 22 knows the patient's current temperature. Inthe automatic mode, control unit 22 does not necessarily adjust thetemperature of the circulating fluid to maintain a constant temperature,but instead makes the necessary temperature adjustments to the fluid inorder to effectuate the desired patient temperature.

As noted, when thermal control unit 22 is used in the automatic mode, atleast one patient temperature probe 34 must be coupled to control unit22. However, as shown in FIG. 1, more than a single patient temperatureprobe 34 may be coupled to control unit 22. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, control unit 22 is configured to allow a user to select which ofthe multiple patient temperature probes 34 are to be used by the controlunit for effectuating the desired patient temperature control. That is,the user can tell control unit 22 which of the two (or more) patienttemperature readings the control unit 22 is supposed to control. Thenon-selected patient temperature reading is simply displayed by controlunit 22 for informational purposes, but is not otherwise used incontrolling the temperature of the liquid circulating through controlunit 22.

In an alternative embodiment, control unit 22 allows the user to selectboth temperature probes 34 to be used for effectuating the desiredpatient temperature control, or all of the temperature probes 34 (ifcontrol unit 22 is configured to accept more than two patienttemperature probes 34). In such embodiments, control unit 22 is adaptedto utilize the temperature readings from the multiple temperature probes34 by mathematically combining them. The mathematical combination may bea simple average of the multiple temperature readings, a weightedaverage based on the location of the probes 34 on the patient's body (orsome other factor), or some other type of mathematical combination thatis user-controllable. Alternatively, if control unit 22 is configured tooutput fluid at different temperatures to different ones of circuits 31,control unit 22 may use the temperature readings from the multipleprobes 34 without mathematically combining them, such as, but notlimited to, using a first probe 34 reading for controlling a first oneof the fluid circuits 31, using a second probe 34 reading forcontrolling a second one of the fluid circuits 31, etc. Still othervariations are possible.

One embodiment of thermal control unit 22 is shown in perspective viewin FIGS. 2-4. Thermal control unit 22 includes a main body 36 to which aremovable reservoir 38 may be coupled and uncoupled. Removable reservoir38 is configured to hold the fluid (typically water, although otherliquids may be used) that is to be circulated through control unit 22and the one or more thermal pads 32. By being removable from thermalcontrol unit 22, reservoir 38 can be easily carried to a sink or faucetfor filling and or dumping of the water or other fluid. This allowsusers of system 20 to more easily fill control unit 22 prior to its use,as well as to drain unit 22 after use. Removable reservoir 38 furtherincludes, in the illustrated embodiment, volume gradations 39 on itsoutside that provide a visual indication to the user of how much fluid(or other liquid) is contained within reservoir 38. The individualgradations 39 may correspond to any appropriate measure of fluid volume,such as, but not limited to, liters, gallons, quarts, fractions thereof,or any other units of fluid volume.

Control unit 22 further includes a pair of non-caster wheels 40 and apair of caster wheels 42. At least one caster wheel includes a togglebrake 43 that is activated by pushing down on it once and deactivated bypushing down on it a second time. When braked, movement of control unit22 is restricted. Control unit 22 further includes a handle 44 attachedto main body 36. Handle 44 is provided for grasping by a user whentransporting control unit 22 to different locations. Still further,control unit 22 includes a control panel 46 positioned at the top end ofmain body 36. Control panel 46, as will be described in greater detailbelow, includes a touchscreen for controlling the various aspects andfunctionalities of control unit 22.

Main body 36 of control unit 22 further includes a port panel 48 havinga plurality of ports positioned thereon (shown in FIG. 4). Morespecifically, port panel 48 includes the three inlet ports 26, the threeoutlet ports 24, and a pair of patient temperature probe ports 28. Stillfurther, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a patient temperatureoutput port 50 is provided. Patient temperature output port 50 allows apatient temperature probe from another medical device or monitor to becoupled thereto and to receive the same patient temperature reading thatcontrol unit 22 is receiving from the patient temperature probe 34. Ifcontrol unit 22 is connected to multiple patient temperature probes 34,patient temperature output port 50 will output the temperature of theprobe 34 selected by the user using control panel 46. That is, a user isable to designate which of the two patient temperature probe ports 28 isto be considered the primary port. The patient temperature that isdetected by the probe 34 that is plugged into the probe port 28 that hasbeen designated as the primary port will be forwarded to patienttemperature output port 50. Patient temperature output port 50 thereforeallows other devices to utilize the temperature readings gathered from apatient temperature probe 34 so that fewer patient temperature probesneed to be coupled to the patient, thereby reducing cable clutter, aswell as reducing the potential space limitations on the patient's body.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of the internal construction of thermalcontrol unit 22. As seen in FIG. 5, thermal control unit 22 includes apump 52 for circulating fluid through a circulation channel 54. Pump 52,when activated, circulates the fluid through circulation channel 54 inthe direction of arrows 56 (clockwise in FIG. 5). Starting at pump 52,the circulating fluid first passes through a heat exchanger 58 where itis delivered to an outlet manifold 60 having the plurality of outletports 24. A bypass line 62 is fluidly coupled to outlet manifold 60 andan inlet manifold 64. Bypass line 62 allows fluid to circulate throughcirculation channel 54 even in the absence of any thermal pads 32 orlines 30 being coupled to any of outlet and inlet ports 24 and 26. Inthe illustrated embodiment, bypass line 62 includes an optional filter66 that is adapted to filter the circulating fluid. If included, filter66 may be a particle filter adapted to filter out particles within thecirculating fluid that exceed a size threshold, or filter 66 may be abiological filter adapted to purify or sanitize the circulating fluid,or it may be a combination of both.

Inlet manifold 64 includes the plurality of inlet ports 26 that receivefluid returning from the one or more connected thermal pads 32. Theincoming fluid from inlet ports 26, as well as the fluid passing throughbypass line 62, travels back toward the pump 52 into an air separator68. Air separator 68 includes a generally vertical tube that is open atits top end to atmospheric pressure. Any air bubbles that are entrainedin the circulating fluid will naturally rise up through air separator 68and be vented to the atmosphere. After passing through air separator 68,the circulating fluid flows past a valve 70 positioned beneath fluidreservoir 38 and back to pump 52.

Thermal control unit 22 further includes controller 72 (FIG. 5) that iscontained within main body 36 and in electrical communication with avariety of different sensors and/or actuators. More specifically,controller 72 is in electrical communication with pump 52, heatexchanger 58, and control panel 46. While not illustrated in FIG. 5,controller 72 is further in communication with first, second, third, andfourth temperature sensors 74 a, b, c, and d, respectively, as well aswith first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pressure sensors 76 a, b,c, d, and e, respectively (or turbine flow sensors, if used, asdiscussed below). Controller 72 is also in communication with an airpressure sensor 78 that is positioned in gaseous communication with atop end 80 of a level sensing tube 82. Level sensing tube 82 isgenerally vertical and includes a lower end 84 that is in fluidcommunication with fluid circulation channel 54.

Controller 72 includes any and all electrical circuitry and componentsnecessary to carry out the functions and algorithms described herein, aswould be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Generally speaking,controller 72 may include one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors,and/or other programmable electronics that are programmed to carry outthe functions described herein. It will be understood that controller 72may also include other electronic components that are programmed tocarry out the functions described herein, or that support themicrocontrollers, microprocessors, and/or other electronics. The otherelectronic components include, but are not limited to, one or more fieldprogrammable gate arrays, systems on a chip, volatile or nonvolatilememory, discrete circuitry, integrated circuits, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) and/or other hardware, software, orfirmware, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Suchcomponents can be physically configured in any suitable manner, such asby mounting them to one or more circuit boards, or arranging them inother manners, whether combined into a single unit or distributed acrossmultiple units. Such components may be physically distributed indifferent positions in thermal control unit 22, or they may reside in acommon location within thermal control unit 22. When physicallydistributed, the components may communicate using any suitable serial orparallel communication protocol, such as, but not limited to, CAN, LIN,Firewire, I-squared-C, RS-232, RS-485, universal serial bus (USB), etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, heat exchanger 58 includes both a heater 86and a chiller 88. Heat exchanger 58 is therefore capable of both coolingthe circulating liquid and heating the circulating liquid. In someinstances, where precise temperature control is desired, such heatingand cooling may occur at the same time. That is, the circulating fluidmay be sequentially both heated and cooled, with the latter heating orcooling occurring if the first temperature adjustment overshoots theintended target temperature. In other embodiments, heat exchanger 58 mayinclude only a chiller 88 or only a heater 86, depending upon thedesired type of temperature control. In the illustrated embodiment whereheat exchanger 58 includes both a chiller 88 and a heater 86, bothheater 86 and chiller 88 are in communication with, and under thecontrol of, controller 72.

Controller 72 uses the outputs of temperature sensors 74 a, b, c, and dto control the temperature of the circulating fluid. That is, controller72 uses the outputs of temperature sensors 74 a, b, c, and d to controlheat exchanger 58 such that the fluid circulating therethrough has itstemperature adjusted (or maintained) in accordance with the operatingmode (manual or automatic) selected by the user of thermal control unit22. In one embodiment, controller 72 controls the temperature of thecirculating fluid by using both an output temperature value (as measuredby temperature sensor 74 a) and a return temperature value (asdetermined from a mathematical combination of the readings from sensors74 b, c, and/or d). More specifically, controller 72 averages thetemperature readings from sensors 74 b, c, and d (or a subset of thesethree sensors if fewer than all three return ports 26 are beingutilized) to generate the return temperature value. Controller 72 usesthe return temperature value as the measured variable in implementing aclosed loop proportional-integral (PI) controller for controlling thecirculating fluid temperature. The target temperature of the circulatingfluid is supplied either by a user (manual mode) or automatically bycontroller 72 (in automatic mode) based on a desired patient temperatureand the current patient temperature (as determined from one of probes34). Controller 72 thus compares the measured return temperature valueto the target temperature and, if different, makes correspondingadjustments in the temperature (via heat exchanger 58) in order tochange the current temperature to the target temperature. When carryingout this control using the PI controller, controller 72, in oneembodiment, uses the output temperature value from temperature sensor 74a to adjust the limits of integration of the PI controller. Other typesof controllers may be used in other embodiments for adjusting thetemperature of the circulating fluid.

Controller 72 is further configured to display each of the temperaturessensed by temperature sensors 74 b, 74 c, and 74 d. That is, controller72 is configured to display to the user the individual temperaturereadings associated with the fluid returning to each of the inlet ports26. Because each inlet port 26 may be attached to a different thermalpad 32, which in turn is likely positioned at a different location onthe patient's body, the returning fluid from each thermal pad 32 may beat a different temperature. Further, it may be useful for a caregiver toknow which of the multiple thermal pads 32 is responsible for thelargest, or smallest, temperature change relative to the temperature ofthe outgoing fluid, and thereby the largest or smallest amount of heattransfer with respect to the patient. Thermal control unit 22 thereforeprovides the user with individualized temperature information for eachof the multiple inlet ports. Further, controller 72 is configurable toalso display the outgoing fluid temperature on control panel 46, assensed by outgoing fluid temperature sensor 74 a.

Controller 72 utilizes the data outputs from fluid pressure sensors 76a, b, c, d, and e in order to determine the flow rate or amount of flowvolume. As would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, the flowvolumes can be calculated based upon the difference in pressures betweenpressure sensor 76 a and each of the outgoing pressure sensors 76 b, 76c, and 76 d (and/or the bypass pressure sensor 76 e) as well as theknown orifice sizes of the outlet ports 24 (and/or the bypass line 62).More specifically, controller 72 is configured to individually calculatethe flow rate of fluid exiting out each of the three outlet ports 24, aswell as the flow rate of fluid passing through bypass line 62.Controller 72 calculates the flow rate through a first outlet port 24 byusing the difference in pressure between pressure sensor 76 a and 76 b(as well as other data, such as orifice sizes). Controller 72 calculatesthe flow rate through a second outlet port 24 by using the difference inpressure between pressure sensor 76 a and 76 c (as well as other data).And controller 72 calculates the flow rate through a third outlet port24 by using the difference in pressure between pressure sensor 76 a and76 d (as well as other data). Still further, controller 72 calculatesthe flow rate through the bypass line 62 by using the difference inpressure between pressure sensor 76 a and 76 e (as well as other data).Controller 72 is also configured to display each of the individualoutlet port flow volumes on control panel 46 so that a user of controlunit 22 will know the amount of fluid flowing to each individual thermalpad 32. In some embodiments, controller 72 is also configured to displaythe amount of fluid flowing through bypass line 62 as well.

Controller 72 uses the flow data in its closed-loop feedback control ofheat exchanger 58. In one embodiment, controller 72 uses aproportional-integral control loop (PI control). In other embodiments,controller 72 can be adapted to use a proportional-integral-derivativecontrol loop (PID control). In still other embodiments, controller 72may simply use proportional control with no integral or derivativeterms. Regardless of the specific type of control loop used, controller72 uses the information from the pressure sensors 76 a-e, as well as thetemperature sensors 74 a-d in determining the control commands that areissued to heat exchanger 58.

In other embodiments, pressure sensors 76 a, b, c, d, and/or e arereplaced by turbine sensors that directly measure flow rates. Stillfurther, in other embodiments, the positions of pressure sensors 76 a,b, c, d, and/or e (or turbine flow sensors, if used) are changed fromthat shown in FIG. 5. For example, in one embodiment, outlet manifoldpressure sensor 76 a is replaced with a turbine flow sensor positionedjust downstream of pump 52. In still another embodiment, pressuresensors 76 b, c, and d (whether implemented as pressure sensors orturbine flow sensors) are positioned at inlet ports 26 rather thanoutlet ports 24. Still other variations are possible. In still anotherembodiment, both pressure sensors 76 and turbine flow sensors are usedto measure fluid flow rates.

Removable reservoir 38 includes on its bottom a valve 71 (FIG. 22) thatautomatically cooperates with valve 70 within control unit 22 whenreservoir 38 is inserted into the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 22. Morespecifically, valve 71 automatically closes when reservoir 38 is removedfrom control unit 22 so that any fluid that is contained within it, orthat is added to it, will not leak out of reservoir 38. Likewise, valve70 automatically closes when reservoir 38 is lifted out of control unit22 so that any fluid in the control unit 22 does not leak out of it.When removable reservoir 38 is inserted into control unit 22, both valve70 and valve 71 cooperate with each other to both open. This automaticopening allows fluid to flow either into or out of control unit 22,depending upon what fluid, if any, is already present within controlunit 22 and the relative pressure of that fluid compared to any fluidthat is contained within reservoir 38. Valves 70 and 71 may becommercially available valves, such as are available from ColderProducts Company of St. Paul, Minn., or from other suppliers.

Control unit 22 is configured such that removable reservoir 38 can beremoved while thermal therapy is being delivered to a patient withoutany interruption in that thermal therapy. That is, controller 72 willcontinue to control the delivery of temperature controlled fluid to oneor more thermal pads 32 even if reservoir 38 is removed from unit 22.Controller 72 will provide an indication to a user that reservoir 38 hasbeen removed (via a sensor discussed below), but this will not interruptthe delivery of temperature controlled fluid to a patient via pads 32.In this manner, reservoir 38 can be removed and carried to a sink orother location for adding or draining water, or other fluid, toreservoir 38 simultaneously with the delivery of thermal therapy to apatient. If reservoir 38 is inserted back into control unit 22 duringthis delivery of thermal therapy to the patient, the reservoir valve andvalve 70 will automatically open and whatever fluid within reservoir 38,if any, will be put in fluid communication with the fluid circulatingthrough control unit 22.

When reservoir 38 is first filled and control unit 22 is used for thevery first time, the coupling of reservoir 38 to control unit 22 willcause the reservoir valve and valve 70 to both open, as noted, therebyallowing the fluid within reservoir 38 to flow out and into a portion ofcirculating channel 54. More specifically, fluid will flow into pump 52,a portion of level sensing tube 82, and a portion of air separator 68.In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid will not flow into eitheroutlet manifold 60 or inlet manifold 64 as those are positioned at ahigher elevation than fluid reservoir 38 within control unit 22. Onlywhen pump 52 is activated will fluid be pumped to these manifolds 60 and64.

When pump 52 is activated, it will pump fluid throughout circulatingchannel 54 and any connected thermal pads 32. The fluid needed to fillthe spaces in circulating channel 54 and thermal pads 32 that werepreviously occupied by air is drawn from reservoir 38. Once the entiresystem (circulating channel 54, manifolds 60 and 64, and any connectedpads 32) is filled with fluid drawn from reservoir 38, any remainingfluid within reservoir 38 will remain within reservoir 38 and besubstantially outside of the circulating loop of fluid. That is, thefluid within reservoir 38 will be substantially isolated from thecirculating fluid such that temperature changes made to the circulatingfluid will have little to no impact on the temperature of the fluidwithin reservoir 38. In this manner, it is not necessary to expend theextra time and energy that would otherwise be necessary to bring thevolume of fluid within reservoir 38 to the desired temperature. Instead,any temperature adjustments made to the fluid are made only to theportion of the fluid that is circulating, thereby avoiding unnecessaryexpenditures of energy and time on heating or cooling fluid that doesnot circulate to the thermal pads. In this manner, thermal control unit22 operates as a tank-less thermal control unit that has a fasterresponse time than many prior art thermal control units. That is,thermal control unit 22 is able to bring the circulating fluid to adesired temperature quicker and/or with less energy than thermal controlunits that include a tank and greater amounts of fluid within thethermally controlled circuit.

When pump 52 is deactivated after having been activated, the fluidwithin circulating channel 54 will drain downward due to gravity intothe lower regions of circulating channel 54, as well as partiallyreturning into reservoir 38, when attached. Any fluid within thermalpads 32 will also return to the lower regions of circulating channel 54provided the pads 32 are positioned at a height that is greater than theheight of inlet ports 26 so that gravity may pull the fluid downward outof the pads 32 and through inlet ports 26. The deactivation of the pump52 will therefore return a portion of the circulating fluid to reservoir38 while leaving another portion of the circulating fluid in the bottomareas of circulating channel 54. In order to more completely remove thefluid from circulating channel 54, a drain 92 (FIG. 6) can be opened tofurther drain the fluid out of control unit 22, if desired, as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

Thermal control unit 22 is further in electrical communication with areservoir sensor 90 (FIG. 6) that is adapted to electrically detect thepresence or absence of reservoir 38. Reservoir sensor 90 may be anysuitable sensor for detecting the absence and presence of reservoir 38.In the illustrated embodiment, reservoir sensor 90 is a Reed switch thatis adapted to detect the absence or presence of a magnet (not shown)integrated into the bottom of the reservoir 38 at a location that alignswith sensor 90 (when reservoir 38 is coupled to unit 22). Reservoirsensor 90 communicates the presence or absence of reservoir 38 tocontroller 72 which, in turn, is configured to display that informationon control panel 46, as well as to issue alerts or warnings if the userattempts to implement a function that is dependent upon the presence ofreservoir 38 and sensor 90 is detecting its absence.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 6-9, thermal control unit 22 includeswithin main body 36 a temperature control assembly 96. As shown in moredetail in FIG. 7, temperature control assembly 96 is removable from aframe 98 within thermal control unit 22. Temperature control assembly 96is made up of a control box assembly 100 and a heat exchange assembly102 (FIG. 8). Control box assembly 100 includes controller 72 as well asvarious other components, as will be described in more detail below.Heat exchange assembly 102 includes heat exchanger 58.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom portion of the main body 36 of thermalcontrol unit 22. This bottom portion includes valve 70 for interactingwith removable reservoir 38, as well as reservoir sensor 90 fordetecting the absence or presence of reservoir 38. In addition, thisbottom portion includes an automatic drain plug 104, air separator 68,level sensing tube 82, a pump inlet tube 106, a pump outlet tube 108,and a lower fluid chamber 110. Pump inlet tube 106 and pump outlet tube108, which are also shown in FIG. 5, each define a portion ofcirculation channel 54. Pump inlet tube 106 receives fluid that returnsback from the thermal pads 32 into inlet manifold 64, as well as fluidthat flows through bypass line 62. Pump outlet tube 108 connects to, anddelivers fluid to, heat exchanger 58, which is housed within heatexchange assembly 102.

Lower fluid chamber 110 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 11 andincludes a central body portion 112, a pump port 114, a fill port 116,and a drain port 118. Pump port 114 is fluidly connected to pump 52 byway of a connection pipe 120 that delivers fluid to pump 52 (fluid movesin the direction of arrows 56). Fill port 116 is fluidly connected by afill pipe 122 to valve 70 and the contents of reservoir 38 (when coupledto control unit 22). Drain port 118 is fluidly connected to a drain pipe124 that is, in turn, fluidly connected to drain 92. Drain pipe 124includes a connector 126 that fluidly connects drain pipe 124 to bottomend 84 of level sensing tube 82.

When reservoir 38 is first coupled to thermal control unit 22, fluidflows out of reservoir 38 and into lower fluid chamber 110, as well asdrain pipe 124. Further, if reservoir 38 contains the recommended amountof fluid, the fluid will travel through connector 126 and partially fillthe bottom end 84 of level sensing tube 82. Because the upper end 80 oflevel sensing tube 82 is hermetically sealed and in gaseouscommunication with an air pressure sensor 78 contained within controlbox assembly 100, the air inside of level sensing tube 82 will becompressed by the partial filling of the bottom of level sensing tube82. This will, in turn, cause the air contained therein to increase itspressure. As more fluid drains out of reservoir 38 and into thermalcontrol unit 22, the level of fluid in the bottom end 84 of levelsensing tube 82 will increase, further increasing the air pressureinside the top end 80 of level sensing tube 82. These pressure changesare detected by air pressure sensor 78, which is in electricalcommunication with controller 72. Controller 72 converts the airpressure changes into an indication of how much fluid is in control unit22 and outputs this information on control panel 46.

Top end 80 of level sensing tube 82 includes a valve 130 that is adaptedto automatically and hermetically seal the top end 80 of sensing tube 82if it is ever disconnected from air pressure sensor 78. As was noted,air pressure sensor 78 is positioned inside of control box assembly 100(on a circuit board contained therein), while the elements shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 (other than air pressure sensor 78) are mounted to thelower portion of frame 98 outside of control box assembly 100. In thismanner, the amount of air contained within level sensing tube 82 abovethe fluid line (if present) will remain the same (although its volumewill change due to increases or decreases in the total amount of fluidin unit 22).

As can be seen in greater detail in FIGS. 4, 10, and 11, thermal controlunit 22 has its automatic drain plug 104 positioned adjacent to valve 70and reservoir sensor 90. Automatic drain plug 104 is therefore pusheddownward whenever reservoir 38 is coupled to thermal control unit 22.Due to the construction of automatic drain plug 104, which includes amovable internal plunger, the downward movement of the automatic drainplug will automatically close—to the extent it is open—drain 92. Thus, auser is automatically prevented from coupling reservoir 38 to thermalcontrol unit 22 while drain 92 is open. This prevents the accidentaldraining of fluid out of reservoir 38 onto the floor, or other surfacebeneath control unit 22, when reservoir 38 is inserted into control unit22.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate in greater detail several aspects of control boxassembly 100. Control box assembly 100 includes outlet manifold 60 andinlet manifold 64, as well as outlet ports 24 and inlet ports 26. Stillfurther, control box assembly 100 includes patient temperature probeports 28, patient temperature output port 50, and a circuit board 132(FIG. 13) on which is mounted all, or some, of the components comprisingcontroller 72. Bypass line 62 is not shown in FIGS. 12-14, but mayinclude a hose connected between bypass ports defined on each ofmanifolds 60 and 64. If a filter 66 is included within the bypass line62, the hose may first connect to the filter, and then connect to theinlet manifold 64. Fluid from pump 52 enters outlet manifold 60 througha supply port 134. Fluid exits inlet manifold 64 through an exit port136, where the exiting fluid is delivered to pump inlet tube 106.

FIG. 15 illustrates in greater detail the construction of oneconfiguration of control panel 46. As shown therein, control panel 46includes a gasket 140, a generally planar sheet of glass 142, an indiumtin oxide, or ITO, layer 144, a support bracket 146, an LCD gasket 148,an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel 150, and a circuit board 152. Ascan be seen in FIG. 15, support bracket 146 includes a plurality offixed icon apertures 154 defined at locations where fixed icons are tobe selectively displayed to the user of thermal control unit 22. Thedisplay of these fixed icons is selectively controlled by theelectronics contained on circuit board 152, which includes a pluralityof lights, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) positioned behind eachof the fixed icon apertures 154. Controller 72, which communicates withcircuit board 152, determines when to illuminate these LEDs, and therebywhen to cause the fixed icon (which is defined on a side of glass layer142 facing away from the user) corresponding to the fixed icon aperture154 to appear. Further, for at least some of the icons, multiple LEDsthat emit different colors are positioned behind the fixed iconapertures 154 on circuit board 152 so that the color of the icon canalso be selectively controlled by circuit board 152 under the control ofcontroller 72.

Support bracket 146 further includes an LCD aperture 156 defined at alocation that aligns with LCD panel 150 so that the informationdisplayed on LCD panel 150 may be seen through bracket 146. Unlike thefixed icon apertures 154, the LCD aperture 156 allows changing contentto be viewed by the user of thermal control unit 22 because the LCDpanel 150 is capable of displaying different graphics and images. In oneembodiment, LCD panel 150 is a color LCD panel.

The ITO layer acts in a conventional manner to create a large areacapacitive touchscreen over both the LCD panel 150 and each of the iconsthat align with each of the fixed icon apertures 154. When a usertouches any of the icons, or any of the specific areas positioned overthe LCD panel 150, controller 72 (which includes and/or oversees circuitboard 152) will react accordingly.

Control panel 46 is designed so that whenever circuit board 152 does notilluminate an LED positioned behind a particular icon, that particularicon is substantially invisible to a user. This invisibility is creatednot only by the lack of any illumination from an LED positioned behindthe icon, but also due to the fact that substantially no ambient lightis permitted to enter and reflect from the area underneath glass layer142. Such reflected light could otherwise provide some backlighting tothe icons, rendering them visible. The area behind the icons, however,is black so that any such ambient light is substantially absorbed. Onlywhen an adjacent LED is illuminated is light provided that passesthrough the icon on glass layer 142 and provides visibility of the iconto the user. In the absence of this light, the area where the icon ispositioned is seen as a uniform background, such as a black background,by the user.

One example of this selective visibility of icons is shown by acomparison of FIGS. 17 and 18. In FIG. 17, LEDs are illuminated behindicons 160 r, 160 s, 160 t, 160 u, and 160 v (whose functions arediscussed below), thereby making these icons visible to a user. In FIG.18, in contrast, the LEDs positioned behind icons 160 r, 160 s, and 160t are not illuminated, and the area where icons 160 r, 160 s, and 160 twould otherwise appear on control panel 46 appears black to a user. Thisselective visibility gives control panel 46 the ability to change thegraphical information displayed to a user not only in the area of LCDpanel 150, but also in the areas outside of LCD panel 150. Further, thisselective visibility allows for the decluttering of icons on controlpanel 46 at times when the display of one or more icons is notnecessary. It also provides an indication to a user as to what controloptions are currently available and/or what information is currentlyrelevant, thereby assisting the user as to what actions he or she cantake at any given moment (e.g. by pressing one or more icons 160).Controller 72 therefore selectively renders icons 160 visible andinvisible according to the current state of control unit 22, therebyselectively providing the user with information and/or control optionsthat are tailored to the current state of the control unit 22.

FIG. 16 shows one manner in which the layout of control panel 46 can beimplemented, including an illustrative arrangement of fixed icons thatare selectively displayable on control panel 46. As can be seen, controlpanel 46 includes a plurality of fixed icons 160 that are positionedaround LCD screen 150. The manner in which these icons 160 are shown inFIG. 16 is not representative of the manner in which these icons areactually seen by a user. That is, FIG. 16 illustrates icons 160 as beingdark images printed on a white background. This is merely for purposesof illustrating the position and shape of icons 160. The manner in whicha user actually views these icons 160 is shown in FIGS. 17-19 where theicons 160 are selectively displayed against a black background and areotherwise invisible if not illuminated, as was discussed in greaterdetail above. Control panel 46, in one embodiment, therefore presentsilluminated graphics to a user that are displayed against a blackbackground.

Icons 160 include a therapy pause icon 160 a that, when pressed, pausesthe therapy being performed by thermal control unit 22 (FIG. 16). Toresume therapy, a user presses and holds down on the therapy pause icon160 a. A selection icon 160 b allows a user to switch between displayingthe temperatures in Fahrenheit and Celsius by pressing on icon 160 b,which acts as a toggle switch between the two different units ofmeasurement. A power icon 160 c will turn on and off thermal controlunit 22 when pressed. When a user first presses a lock icon 160 d, thescreen will be locked and pressing on any areas of the screen will notchange any settings, or otherwise cause thermal control unit 22 to reactto the pressing. In order to unlock the touchscreen, a user presses downand holds the lock icon 160 d for at least two seconds. An audio pauseicon 160 e, when pressed, silences any audible alarms for apredetermined period of time, such as ten minutes. Any alarms will stillresult in a visual display of the alarm on control panel 46, but willnot result in any audible indications while the audio pause is ineffect.

Control panel 46 further includes three therapy mode icons 160 f, 160 g,and 160 h. Pushing down on mode icon 160 f will cause thermal controlunit 22 to act in the automatic mode (described previously). Pushingdown on mode icon 160 g will cause thermal control unit 22 to act in themanual mode (also described previously). Pushing down on mode icon 160 hwill cause thermal control unit 22 to act in a monitor mode (notdescribed previously). In the monitor mode, thermal control unit 22 doesnot circulate fluid or regulate the fluid's temperature, but insteadmerely monitors the temperature(s) input into thermal control unit 22via the patient temperature probe ports 28 and issues any alarms if thetemperatures change beyond any user-defined thresholds.

A back icon 160 i causes controller 72 to change what is displayed onLCD screen 150 to that which was displayed thereon immediately prior tothe pressing of the back icon 160 i. An edit icon 160 j will enable theuser to edit current settings when pressed, or exit or cancel, dependingupon the context of the information displayed on LCD screen 150. Aconfirm icon 160 k, when pressed, allows a user to confirm a selectionmade by the user of information displayed on LCD screen 150. A forwardicon 160 l will shift, when pressed, what is displayed on LCD screen 150to the next sequential screen.

Icon 160 o is a settings icon that, when pressed, displays a summary ofthe current settings of thermal control unit 22. Pressing on graphicicon 160 p will graphically display the measured and recorded patienttemperatures, the target temperature, the fluid temperature and workingcapacity. A help icon 160 q displays contextual help screens fortherapies, navigation, and button usage.

Finally, icons 160 m and 160 n enable a user to increase or decrease apatient or fluid temperature, depending upon the context of what isdisplayed on LCD screen 150.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 16, control panel 46 further includesseveral additional fixed icons, several of which are displayed in FIGS.17 and 18. For example, in FIG. 17, control panel 46 is shown displayinga port 1 icon 160 r, a port 2 icon 160 s, and a port 3 icon 160 t. Theseicons 160 r, s, and t are displayed when thermal control unit 22 detectsthat a hose has been coupled to one or more of the three outlet ports24. The coupling of a hose to one or more of the three outlet ports 24is detected by way of pressure sensors 76 b, c, and d (or turbine flowsensors, if used), which together form a sensing subsystem for detectingthe presence and absence of supply and returns lines 30 a and 30 b. Thatis, controller 72 monitors the outputs of pressure sensors 76 b, c, andd (or turbine flow sensors, if used) to compute individual flow ratesfor each outlet port 24. If no flow rate is detected for a particularport, then controller 72 does not illuminate the corresponding port icon160 r, s, or t. If a flow rate is detected that is within a normal rangefor a particular port, then controller 72 illuminates the correspondingport icon 160 r, s, or t with a green color. If flow is detected bycontroller 72 for a particular outlet port 24, but the flow rate isbeneath a threshold that likely indicates a constricted flow, or otherundesirable situation, then controller 72 displays the correspondingport icon 160 r, s, or t in a yellow color. In one embodiment, thethreshold is set to a flow rate less than a half of a liter per minute.Control panel 46 thereby provides visual feedback and indications to theuser of which ports are in proper working order. This individualmonitoring of the flow through each port helps ensure that no thermalpad has its fluid flow partially obstructed, which might otherwise bedifficult to detect in a manual and visual manner by a user. The sensingsubsystem for detecting this fluid flow may take on different forms fromthe pressure sensors 76 b, c, and d mentioned above, such as, but notlimited to, direct flow measurements sensors, or other types of sensors.

FIG. 17 also illustrates icons 160 u and 160 v on control panel 46. Icon160 u, which may be illuminated in a green color, indicates that a firstpatient temperature probe 34 is connected to a patient temperature probeport 28 and the patient temperature probe 34 is active. Icon 160 vindicates the same information for a second patient temperature probe 34that may be connected to the second patient temperature probe port 28.

FIG. 18 shows an illustrative screen that may be displayed on LCD screen150 of control panel 46 for enabling a user to select which of themultiple patient temperature probes 34 is to be the primary patienttemperature probe (i.e. the one which provides temperature outputs thatthe thermal control unit 22 is trying to control). By pressing on icon160 w, the user is able to select patient temperature probe A as theprimary patient temperature probe. Alternatively, the user is able toselect patient temperature probe B as the primary patient temperatureprobe 34 by pressing on icon 160 x. Probes A and B are coupled to eachof the two patient temperature probe ports 28 on control unit 22. As wasnoted previously, the selection of probe A or B as the primary probealso determines what temperature control unit 22 will output at patienttemperature output port 50. In other words, the probe that has beenselected as the primary probe will have its temperature readings bothforwarded to patient temperature output port 50 and used by controller72 to control the temperature of the circulating fluid (when unit 22 isoperating in the automatic mode).

In an alternative embodiment, control panel 46 is modified to display ascreen similar to that of FIG. 18 but modified to allow the user toselect more than one temperature probe 34 as the primary temperatureprobe. This modified screen may further include one or more additionalcontrol messages, indicia, information, and/or selections that allow theuser to select the manner in which control unit 22 uses the readingsfrom the multiple temperature probes 34. As was noted previously, themanner of using the temperature readings from probes 34 may include, butis not limited to, various mathematical combinations (averages, weightedaverages, etc.) of the temperatures from probes 34.

FIG. 19 shows an illustrative configuration of control panel 46 that isadapted to allow a user to select which of ports 24 and 26 are to beconsidered “active” and which are to be considered “inactive.”Controller 72 monitors the outputs of the flow sensors 76 b, c, and d(which form a sensing subsystem) to determine whether any fluid isflowing through ports 24. For those ports in which fluid flow isdetected, controller 72 makes a preliminary determination that thoseports are intended by the user to be active. For those ports in which nofluid flow is detected, controller 72 makes a preliminary determinationthat those ports are intended by the user to be inactive. Controller 72then causes control panel 46 to display the configuration shown in FIG.19, which requests that the user confirm or cancel the preliminarydetermination of active and inactive ports made by controller 72. In theexample shown in FIG. 19, controller 72 has detected flow in outletports 2 and 3, and detected no flow in outlet port 1. Controller 72therefore illuminates icons 160 s and 160 t (corresponding to outletports 2 and 3) in a first color (such as, but not limited to, green) andilluminates icon 160 r (corresponding to outlet port 1) in a secondcolor (such as, but not limited to, yellow). Controller 72 furthercauses LCD panel 150 to display a question or prompt to the user askingthat he or she confirm or disconfirm that ports 2 and 3 are to be theactive ports and port 1 is to be inactive. The user confirms ordisconfirms this by pressing the “confirm” button or “cancel” button,respectively, as shown in FIG. 16.

When a user confirms that one or more outlet ports 24 are to beconsidered inactive, controller 72 ceases to display the correspondingicon for that particular port. Thus, for example, in the configurationshown in FIG. 19, if a user were to press the confirm button to confirmthat port 1 was to be inactive, controller 72 would thereafter cease toilluminate icon 160 r, rendering it invisible to the user. Icons 160 sand 160 t, however, which correspond to the active ports, would continueto be illuminated and controller 72 would change the color of thisillumination based upon the current state of these ports. For example,as mentioned previously, if the fluid flow for either of these portswere to drop below a threshold, controller 72 will change the display ofthe corresponding icon 160 s or 160 t from green to yellow, or to someother color to indicate that a potentially undesirable condition existsfor that fluid port.

Once a user has designated which ports are active and which, if any, areinactive, controller 72 will provide temperature data for those inletports 26 that are active, as measured by temperature sensors 74 b, c,and d. Controller 72 will further provide an indication to the user ifthe temperatures sensed by the sensors 74 b, c, and/or d that areassociated with active ports detect temperatures that are outside of anacceptable range. Still further, controller 72 will provide anindication to the user any time any changes are detected that indicate apotential change in which ports are to be active and which ports are tobe inactive. In other words, if any supply or return lines 30 a or 30 bare disconnected from a set of active ports 24, 26, or if any supply orreturn lines 30 a or 30 b are connected to a set of inactive ports 24,26, controller 72 will sense these changes, via pressure sensors 76, b,c, and/or d, (or turbine flow sensors, if used) and will presentinformation on control panel 72 alerting a user of these changes. Thealert will further request confirmation from the user that the detectedconnection or disconnection was intended.

FIG. 20 illustrates a diagram of the internal layout of the chiller 88,including a refrigerant flow path 164. Chiller 88 includes a compressor166, a condenser 168 that is selectively cooled by a DC controlled fan170, an expansion valve 172, a co-axial heat exchanger 174, and apressure control valve 176. The co-axial heat exchanger 174 is inthermal communication with the fluid flowing through circulation channel54. That is, the fluid flowing through circulation channel 54 has itstemperature selectively cooled during its passage through coaxial heatexchanger 174. During the flow of fluid through coaxial heat exchanger174, the fluid maintains its physical separation from the refrigerantcontained within, and flowing through, flow path 164.

Controller 72 oversees the operation of chiller 88. In order to moreaccurately control the temperature of the refrigerant supplied tocoaxial heat exchanger 174, controller 72 controls the amount ofrefrigerant flowing through condenser 168 by selectively opening andclosing pressure control valve 176. Because pressure control valve 176is located downstream of condenser of the coaxial heat exchanger 174,more precise and fine control of the amount of refrigerant evaporated inheat exchanger 174 is accomplished, thereby giving controller 72 a finerability to precisely control the temperature of the refrigerant in heatexchanger 174. This finer and/or more precise temperature control meansthat the fluid flowing through heat exchanger 174 within channel 54 canhave its temperature more precisely controlled, thereby reducingpotential problems with overshoot while still eliminating the need of atank.

In some other embodiments, chiller 88 is further in communication withan ambient air sensor. The ambient air sensor detects the temperature ofthe ambient air in the vicinity of control unit 22. Controller 72 usesthis ambient air temperature in determining how fast to operate fan 170.This allows controller 72 to more precisely control the refrigeranttemperature, which also allows control unit 22 to more precisely controlthe fluid temperature.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic diagram of the major components of anotherembodiment of control unit 222. Those components of control unit 222that are in common with control unit 22 and that operate in the samemanner as control unit 22 are labeled with the same reference numbers.Control unit 222 includes a controller 72 that comprises four separatemicrocontrollers 180 a, b, c, and d. In this embodiment,microcontrollers 180 a, b, c, and d are commercially availableoff-the-shelf conventional microcontrollers. Microcontrollers 180 a, b,and c are in communication with each other via a Controller Area Network(CAN) bus 182 that operates in accordance with the InternationalOrganization for Standardization (ISO) 11898 standard. This standarddefines the physical and data link layers (levels 1 and 2 of the ISO/OSImodel). Additional higher level layers that use the CAN physical anddata link layers may be used with microcontrollers 180 a, b, and/or c,such as, but not limited to CANOpen. The CAN bus 182, which thesemicrocontrollers 180 a, b, and c use to communicate with each other, canutilize either the standard frame format (CAN 2.0A), which utilizes 11bit identifiers in the message frames, or the extended frame format (CAN2.0B), which utilizes 29 bit identifiers in the message frames.

Microcontroller 180 a is the main microcontroller that oversees theoperation of control unit 22. Microcontroller 180 b oversees and managesthe control panel 46, communicating the user inputs to mainmicrocontroller 180 a as needed, and receiving information from mainmicrocontroller 180 a for display on control panel 46. Microcontroller180 c oversees the heat exchanger 58 which, in this embodiment, includesboth heater 86 and chiller 88. Microcontroller 180 d reads thetemperature information that is input from either or both of patienttemperature probe ports 28 a and b and communicates this temperatureinformation to main microcontroller 180 a. Microcontroller 180 d alsocontrols the information that is output at patient temperature outputport 50.

More specifically, microcontroller 180 d determines the current amountof electrical resistance at each patient temperature probe port 28 a and28 b (which corresponds to the current temperature being sensed by eachof the patient temperature probes 34 that are inserted into these ports28 a, b). Microcontroller 180 d reads the resistance at port A byclosing a first switch 184 a while opening a second switch 184 b. Theresistance sensed at port A is converted to a digital value by a firstAnalog-to-Digital (ND) converter 186 a, which forwards the digital valueto microcontroller 180 d over a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus188. In order to read the electrical resistance at patient temperatureprobe port 28 b, microcontroller 180 d closes switch 184 b, opens switch184 a, and receives the digital resistance value from a second NDconverter 186 b over SPI bus 188.

After reading the electrical resistances as ports 28 a and 28 b,microcontroller 180 d converts these electrical resistances totemperature values using the known relationship between the proberesistances and temperature. Microcontroller 180 d then forwards thesetemperature readings to main microcontroller 180 a over a serial line190 that passes through one or more opto-couplers 192. Opto-couplers 192provide electrical isolation between microcontroller 180 d and mainmicrocontroller 180 a. Main microcontroller 180 a forwards thesetemperature readings to microcontroller 180 b for display on controlpanel 46. Further, main microcontroller 180 a forwards at least that oneof these two temperature readings to microcontroller 180 c thatcorresponds to the port 28 a or 28 b that has been designated by theuser as being the primary port. Microcontroller 180 c uses the patienttemperatures readings from the primary port (28 a or 28 b) to controlthe temperature of the circulating fluid when the control unit 222 isoperating in the automatic mode.

Microcontroller 180 d also controls and changes the electricalresistance of a variable resistance device 194 so that it will have thesame, or nearly the same, electrical resistance as the resistance thatmicrocontroller 180 d is currently measuring from whichever one of ports28 a and 28 b the user has designated as the primary port. In otherwords, microcontroller 180 d re-creates with device 194 the electricalresistance that it is currently reading at port 28 a or 28 b (whicheveris the primary port). A separate medical device or monitor can thereforeinsert a patient temperature probe into patient temperature output port50, read the resistance of variable resistance device 194, and determinethe temperature of the patient that is being sensed by the primarypatient temperature probe 34.

In order to accurately generate the desired electrical resistance invariable resistance device 194, microcontroller 180 d utilizes feedbackcircuitry 196. Feedback circuitry 196 measures the electrical resistanceof variable resistance device 194 and sends it to an ND converter 186 c,which forwards the corresponding digitized value of the resistancemeasurement to microcontroller 180 d. Microcontroller 180 d comparesthis measured resistance to the resistance it is attempting to generatein device 194 (the target resistance). To the extent there is anydifference, microcontroller 180 d makes necessary adjustments so thatthe actual resistance of device 194 will be substantially equal to thetarget resistance. In this manner, microcontroller 180 d usesclosed-loop feedback to generate a precise resistance value at device194.

In one embodiment, feedback circuitry 196 reads the actual resistance ofvariable resistance device 194 by applying a constant current to device194 and measuring the corresponding voltage drop across device 194. Thisvoltage drop will be directly proportional to the value of theresistance. Microcontroller 180 d converts the voltage reading to aresistance value. In order to avoid interference between the resistancemeasurements made by feedback circuitry 196 and measurements made by anexternal probe (connected to port 50), control unit 222 includes anoutput sensor 198 that detects whether a probe is connected to port 50or not. When a probe is connected, that probe will supply its ownconstant current to variable resistance device 194 in order to measurethe electrical resistance of device 194. Therefore, in order to avoidhaving both the probe and feedback circuitry 196 simultaneously applyinga constant current to variable resistance device 194, microcontroller180 d will automatically shut off the constant current source withinfeedback circuitry 196 whenever a probe is coupled to port 50, asdetected by sensor 198. In those situations, feedback circuitry 196 willutilize the constant current supplied through port 50 to measure theresistance of variable resistance device 194. When a probe is notconnected to port 50, however, sensor 198 will sense this fact,communicate it to microcontroller 180 d, and microcontroller 180 d willinstruct feedback circuitry 196 to turn on its own internal constantcurrent source to enable it to measure the actual resistance of device194.

Control unit 222 further includes a pump current sensor 200 that isadapted to measure the amount of electrical current that is beingconsumed by pump 52 when it is activated. Microcontroller 180 a usesthis measurement to determine whether or not sufficient fluid is presentin system 20. Microcontroller 180 a makes this determination bycomparing the amount of electrical current being consumed by pump 52 toa pre-stored value that has been experimentally derived from prior usageof control unit 222. That is, the pre-stored value is determined bytaking readings of the electrical current usage of pump 52 whendifferent amounts of fluid are present within system 20, includingsituations in which an insufficient amount of fluid is present. In thosesituations where insufficient fluid is present, the current used by pump52 will be measurably less than those situations in which a sufficientfluid supply is present. Microcontroller 180 a therefore determineswhether or not sufficient fluid is present by monitoring the output ofsensor 200 and comparing it with the pre-stored value, which is storedin a memory (not labeled) accessible to microcontroller 180 a.

Microcontroller 180 a, in one embodiment, analyzes the output of currentsensor 200 in conjunction with the outputs of other sensors beforedetermining whether pump 52 should be shut down or not. For example, inone embodiment, microcontroller 180 a also analyzes the output from flowsensors 76 b, c, d, and e (whether implemented as pressure sensors orturbine flow sensors). Microcontroller 180 a will automatically shutdown pump 52 if current sensor 200 indicates that insufficient flow ispresent and if none of sensors 76 b, c, d, and e are detecting flowrates that are indicative of sufficient fluid volume. If, however,current sensor 200 indicates that insufficient flow is present, but oneor more of sensors 76 b, c, d, or e indicate sufficient fluid flow,controller 72 will flag this condition to the user as a possible error,but will continue to power pump 52 and provide therapy to a patient.

In still other embodiments, control unit 22 may also include a fluidlevel sensor, such as the air pressure sensor 78 discussed above, or afluid level sensor 202, which is discussed in more detail below, inaddition to current sensor 200. By using both a fluid level sensor and acurrent level sensor 200 (and also sensors 76 b, c, d, and/or e, ifdesired, whether implemented as pressure sensors or turbine sensors)redundancy is provided for detecting fluid levels. This redundancyallows therapy to be continued to a patient if only one of the redundantsensors indicates insufficient fluid flow.

FIG. 23 shows a block diagram of a fluid level sensor 202 that may beused in place of air pressure sensor 78 and level sensing tube 82,discussed above. Fluid level sensor 202 may also be used either in placeof, or in combination with, the pump current sensor 200 discussed above.Fluid level sensor 202 is positioned inside of a vertical fluid leveltube 204 that is in fluid communication with removable reservoir 38.This fluid communication ensures that the fluid in fluid level tube 204will rise to the same height as the fluid inside of removable reservoir38. In one embodiment, fluid level tube 204 is positioned in the samelocation as level sensing tube 82 but, unlike level sensing tube 82, itis vented to atmosphere at its top end rather than being in fluidcommunication with air pressure sensor 78.

An upper float 206 a and a lower float 206 b are positioned inside offluid level sensing tube 82. Each of upper and lower floats 206 a and206 b carry magnets. An upper Reed switch 208 a and a lower Reed switch208 b are positioned either inside of tube 204, or adjacent the exteriorof tube 204. When removable reservoir 38 is placed into fluid connectionwith control unit 22, the fluid will fill tube 204 to the same height asreservoir 38. As the fluid fills tube 204, the lower float 206 b willrise with the rising fluid level until it reaches a position locatedadjacent lower Reed switch 208 b, where it will be prevented fromfurther upward movement by a mechanical stop (not shown). When lowerfloat 206 b reaches lower Reed switch 208 b, the magnet on lower float206 b will close the lower Reed switch 208 b, which will be sensed bycontroller 72. As the fluid level inside of tube 204 continues to risefurther, it may eventually reach upper float 206 a. If sufficient fluidis present, float 206 a will be lifted up until it is positionedadjacent upper Reed switch 208 a, at which point the magnet will closeupper Reed switch 208 a. The closing of upper Reed switch 208 a will besensed by controller 72. Controller 72 will therefore be presented withthe outputs from Reed switches 208 a and 208 b and will know whethersufficient fluid is present, whether no fluid is present, or whethersome fluid is present but more needs to be added. The logic fordetermining these three states if shown in Table A of FIG. 23.

More specifically, if both Reed switches 208 a and b are open, then a“no fluid” alert is activated. If lower Reed switch 208 b is closed, butupper Reed switch 208 a is open, then enough fluid is present to floatlower float 206 b up to Reed switch 208 b, but not enough to float upperfloat 206 a up to upper Reed switch 208 a. Thus, in this condition,controller 72 will issue an “add fluid” alert. Finally, if both Reedswitches 208 a and 208 b are closed, then sufficient water is presentand controller 72 does not issue any fluid level alert.

Various alterations and changes can be made to the above-describedembodiments without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of theinvention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpretedin accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrineof equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposesand should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of allembodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to thespecific elements illustrated or described in connection with theseembodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individualelement(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternativeelements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwiseprovide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently knownalternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to oneskilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed inthe future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upondevelopment, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosedembodiments include a plurality of features that are described inconcert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits.The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments thatinclude all of these features or that provide all of the statedbenefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in theissued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, forexample, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to beconstrued as limiting the element to the singular.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermal control unit comprising: a first fluidoutlet adapted to fluidly couple to a first fluid supply line; a secondfluid outlet adapted to fluidly couple to a second fluid supply line; afirst fluid inlet adapted to fluidly couple to a first fluid returnline; a second fluid inlet adapted to fluidly couple to a second fluidreturn line; a heat exchanger; a pump for circulating fluid from thefirst and second fluid inlets through the heat exchanger and to thefirst and second fluid outlets; a sensing subsystem adapted to detect ifthe first fluid outlet becomes disconnected from the first fluid supplyline and if the second fluid outlet becomes disconnected from the secondfluid supply line; and a controller in communication with the pump, theheat exchanger, and the sensing subsystem, the controller adapted toprovide a first indication to a user if the first fluid outlet becomesdisconnected from the first fluid supply line and to provide a secondindication to the user if the second fluid outlet become disconnectedfrom the second fluid supply line.
 2. The thermal control unit of claim1 wherein the first fluid supply line and first fluid return line arecoupled to a first patient thermal therapy device, and the second fluidsupply line and the second fluid return line are coupled to a secondpatient thermal therapy device.
 3. The thermal control unit of claim 2wherein the sensing subsystem comprises: a first flow meter adapted tomeasure a first flow rate of the fluid through the first fluid outlet;and a second flow meter adapted to measure a second flow rate of thefluid through the second fluid outlet; and wherein the controller is inelectrical communication with the first and second flow meters, and thecontroller is adapted to provide the first indication if the first flowrate measured by the first flow meter decreases below a threshold andthe second indication if the second flow rate measured by the secondflow meter decreases below the threshold.
 4. The thermal control unit ofclaim 2 further comprising: a third fluid outlet adapted to fluidlycouple to a third fluid supply line; a third fluid inlet adapted tofluidly couple to a third fluid return line; and wherein the sensingsubsystem is further adapted to detect if the third fluid outlet becomesdisconnected from the third fluid supply line, and wherein thecontroller is further adapted to provide a third indication to the userif the third fluid outlet becomes disconnected from the third fluidsupply line.
 5. The thermal control unit of claim 3 further comprising auser interface in electrical communication with the controller, the userinterface comprising: a first graphic that is illuminated a first colorwhen the first flow rate exceeds the threshold and is illuminated asecond color when the first flow rate is less than the threshold; and asecond graphic that is illuminated the first color when the second flowrate exceeds the threshold and is illuminated the second color when thesecond flow rate is less than the threshold.
 6. The thermal control unitof claim 5 wherein the user interface is further adapted to allow a userto designate the first fluid outlet as either active or inactive and todesignate the second fluid outlet as either active or inactive.
 7. Thethermal control unit of claim 6 wherein the first graphic is notilluminated when the first fluid outlet is designated as inactive, andthe second graphic is not illuminated when the second fluid outlet isdesignated as inactive.
 8. The thermal control unit of claim 7 whereinthe first graphic is not visible when the first fluid outlet isdesignated as inactive and the second graphic is not visible when thesecond fluid outlet is designated as inactive.
 9. The thermal controlunit of claim 5 wherein the first color is green and the second color isyellow.
 10. The thermal control unit of claim 1 further comprising afirst temperature sensor positioned to measure a first temperature offluid returning to the first fluid inlet, a second temperature sensorpositioned to measure a second temperature of fluid returning to thesecond fluid inlet, and wherein the controller is adapted to display thefirst and second temperatures on a user interface.
 11. The thermalcontrol unit of claim 1 wherein the controller is adapted to operate ina plurality of modes that are selectable by a user, wherein in a firstone of the plurality of modes the controller controls a temperature ofthe fluid pumped to the first and second fluid outlets based on auser-specified fluid target temperature, and wherein in a second one ofthe plurality of modes the controller controls the temperature of thefluid pumped to the first and second fluid outlets based on auser-specified patient target temperature.
 12. The thermal control unitof claim 1 further comprising: a first patient temperature probe portadapted to receive a first patient temperature probe that measures afirst temperature of a patient; a second patient temperature probe portadapted to receive a second patient temperature probe that measures asecond temperature of the patient; and a user interface adapted to allowa user to choose the first patient temperature probe port or the secondpatient temperature probe port for use by the controller in controllinga temperature of the fluid pumped to the first and second fluid outlets.13. The thermal control unit of claim 1 further comprising a removablereservoir adapted to be lifted out of the control unit.
 14. The thermalcontrol unit of claim 13 wherein, when the removable reservoir has beenlifted out of the control unit, the pump continues to pump the fluid tothe first and second outlets and the controller continues to controloperation of the heat exchanger.
 15. The thermal control unit of claim13 further comprising a reservoir sensor adapted to detect an absence orpresence of the removable reservoir, the reservoir sensor in electricalcommunication with the controller, wherein the controller is adapted toissue an alert if the reservoir sensor detects the absence of theremovable reservoir.
 16. The thermal control unit of claim 10 whereinthe controller is in electrical communication with the first and secondtemperature sensors and the controller is adapted to control the heatexchanger based on a mathematical combination of outputs from the firstand second temperature sensors.
 17. The thermal control unit of claim 16wherein the mathematical combination is an average of the outputs of thefirst and second temperature sensors.
 18. The thermal control unit ofclaim 1 further comprising a housing in which the heat exchanger, pump,sensing subsystem, and controller are located; wherein the first andsecond fluid outlets are positioned at locations such that fluid exitsthe housing when passing through each of the first and second outlets.